WSJ: Roberts Stands Chance To Split Democrats

[question everything]

Roberts Stands Chance To Split Democrats

Moderates Could Be Hard-Pressed to Oppose Bush's Affable Supreme Court Nominee

By BRODY MULLINS and JOHN D. MCKINNON
Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
July 21, 2005; Page A4

(snip)

But initial reviews suggest that will be a challenge. While liberal Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois chided Mr. Bush for a "controversial" nomination that won't "unite the country," his moderate counterpart Ben Nelson of Nebraska found nothing "alarming" or "disqualifying" about the choice so far, as a spokesman put it.

The distance between those initial reactions reflects the diverse interests within a Democratic caucus that, so far this year, has stuck together against the White House on Social Security overhaul and other issues. With his pleasant demeanor and friendships across the political divide in Washington's legal establishment, Judge Roberts, who sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, offers a more elusive subject for attack.

(snip)

But Democratic moderates, some of whom are up for re-election next year in so-called red states carried by Mr. Bush, face different calculations. Aside from Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, they include Sens. Bill Nelson of Florida and Kent Conrad of North Dakota.

Even before the selection, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, a Connecticut Democrat, had labeled Judge Roberts "in the ballpark" of acceptable nominees, though a spokesman says he remains noncommittal. Still, just 24 hours after Mr. Bush announced his nominee, many Democratic strategists privately concede that Mr. Bush's choice of Judge Roberts is likely to split Democrats sufficiently to win confirmation.

(snip)

Write to Brody Mullins at [e-mail] and John D. McKinnon at [e-mail]

URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB112191031735191726,00.html

[Erika]

1. Maybe so

I won't give a cent to a democrat who votes to confirm this male. But I've heard Republican women are equally turned off by this nomination. Why didn't W nominate a woman?

[femrap]

2. why do we keep these dems from

states like nebraska in the first place? and second, W and rove can nominate anyone they feel like.....why? Because Dems are too scared to oppose them....it's sickening.

Why do I care if some pug lite nebraskan keeps his job....he's not a democrat....is he? He always votes w/ the pugs....sounds like a duck to me. Get rid of him. Get democrats who are willing to be democrats...and more importantly are willing to FIGHT like democrats....This 'strategy' of finding people like 'salazar' is silly....

And Obama? Why has he voted with the pugs?

Canada is looking better and better...

[question everything]

5. How did Obama vote? On what issues?

But you raised valid questions. We need critical mass in the Senate, and in the House. But if we don't have it when it comes to vote - then why bother?

Welcome to DU :toast:

[sarahf]

3. hope not

This is an easy way for Dems to stay on target. How hard is it to vote No?

Guess this nominee is the one most thought to be confirmable.

[Lecky]

6. They need a fair reason to vote no

being a pro-life conservative is not a good enough reason to vote no.

What if all the republicans voted against one of our candidates because they were a pro-choice liberal?

[AndyTiedye]

9. Are We To Believe that the 70% Who Support Roe v Wade DO NOT MATTER?

being a pro-life conservative is not a good enough reason to vote no.

The implication is that the 70% of Americans who support Roe v. Wade
do not matter. Replacing pro-choice justices with no-choice ones will
result in the overturning of Roe v. Wade. I guess that's fine with you.

[Lecky]

10. The fact that he is pro-life doesn't necessarily mean he will...

vote to overturn Roe v. Wade.

You don't vote no on someone based on their personal ideology...

...and no it's not ok with me, I'm a pro-choice woman, that's why I want a Democrat to be President and not a dumbass.

[Tommymac]

4. Right Wing noise machine in Action.

Anyone want a doughnut?

:donut:

[Lecky]

7. Exactly

They are hoping it divides Democrats

[IndianaGreen]

11. Let's have more Kool-Aid

as the opinion makers tell us how to feel about the Roberts nomination. We should be so grateful that Bush didn't nominate a Nazi to the Court. Thank you Bush for nominating a Fascist instead!

[aquart]

8. Lieberman.